LGBT Families & the 2008 Deomocratic Platform

As the final draft of the Democratic Party’s platform is coming
together, activists and bloggers have been criticizing the party
for weakening its language regarding LGBT families.

In 2004, the provision addressing gay families read as follows:

“We support full inclusion of gay and lesbian
families in the life of our nation and seek equal responsibilities,
benefits and protections for these families.”

In an earlier draft of the 2008 platform, the provision stated:

“We support the full inclusion of all families in the
life of our nation, and support equal responsibility, benefits, and
protections.”

Though not specifically mentioned, the inclusion of gay and lesbian
families is meant to be implied by the language “all families”.

According to the Washington Blade, openly gay U.S. Rep. Tammy
“Baldwin said she and other gay members of the platform committee
proposed amendments to add ‘more specificity’ to the gay family
provision. She said the Obama campaign and the Platform Committee
agreed to include the gay amendments in an omnibus ‘manager’s
amendment’ that the full committee approved on Aug. 9. The text of
that amendment was not available Monday. But in a telephone
briefing held for reporters, Baldwin said the revised provision
notes that ‘all families, including same-sex couples’ should
receive rights and benefits.”

Regardless of this controversy, many are calling the 2008
Democratic Platform the “strongest ever” on LGBT equality.